Tottenham Hotspur linked to Real Madrid star, according to reports

Tottenham Hotspur are gearing up for their first ever Champions League Final appearance. Mauricio Pochettino’s side will take on league rivals Liverpool in the UEFA showpiece final on Saturday, June 1.

In the build-up to the final, Tottenham Hotspur are being linked to Real Madrid superstar and former player Gareth Bale, according to the Guardian.

Bale is coming off of his worst season at Real Madrid and with the return of manager Zinedine Zidane, he is now seen as surplus to requirement.

A tough year in Spain

Bale scored just eight goals in 29 La Liga games while contributing three assists. It was his second lowest goals return since arriving at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2013.

The winger struggled even before Zidane returned to the helm of the club following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure for Juventus. Bale was booed regularly at the Bernabeu and was even criticised for leaving the stadium early after being removed from Real Madrid’s game against Barcelona.

Tottenham Hotspur is not Bale’s only option

The Guardian also states that Tottenham Hotspur will have competition to sign Bale. Juventus are also in the running to sign the Welshman.

The Bianconeri have already added Bale’s countryman Aaron Ramsey on a free transfer.

Tottenham Hotspur could baulk at the money it would take to bring Bale back to London. Real Madrid reportedly want a loan fee of £10 million. In addition, Spurs would need to pay £600,000-per-week in wages to Bale.

The fee Tottenham Hotspur would be required to pay is just half of Bale’s weekly wage.

Bale is not the only member of Real Madrid who is on the chopping block. Los Blancos want to shed themselves of Toni Kroos and Isco as well.

The Welshman played 146 times for Tottenham Hotspur during his six seasons at the club. Bale scored 43 goals while contributing 31 assists for Spurs.

While Bale’s signature seems difficult to obtain, Fulham’s Ryan Sessegnon looks likely to sign for Tottenham Hotspur, according to the Evening Standard.